Emergency responders acted with urgency early Friday when a fire broke out at Langdon Place of Keene, a multi-unit residential care facility located at 136 Arch St. Shortly after 8 a.m., the Keene Fire Department received notifications about smoke likely stemming from an electrical malfunction within the facility.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered substantial smoke on the second floor, where staff were already in the process of evacuating residents due to the developing situation. Two staff members were actively trying to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers before firefighters assumed control of the scene. The source of the fire was traced to the ceiling in a bathroom area, and firefighters worked diligently to prevent it from spreading to the attic space, a potential hazard given the building’s wooden construction.

The incident prompted additional support from neighboring fire departments to manage the emergency effectively, while other local stations continued to operate normally. Fortunately, while smoke spread through the second floor, the flames remained confined to a limited area. Crews remained on-site for over an hour to ensure complete extinguishment and safety checks throughout the premises.

Langdon Place accommodates about 115 residents, including many elderly individuals and those with memory impairments. Authorities confirmed that all affected residents were relocated safely to a secure section of the building. The fire alarm system activated as designed, though sprinklers were not triggered because the temperatures did not reach activation levels.

An investigation conducted by the Keene Fire Marshal’s Office later identified the cause as an accidental electrical fan failure, leading to an estimated property damage of around $20,000. Fire officials acknowledged the quick actions of the Langdon Place staff, remarking on the added challenges posed by low temperatures at the time of the incident. After the review was concluded, the facility was safely returned to its management.